Two stock/baseline 91 octane N20 dynographs from the new 2012 F30 BMW 328i - Yes, it is underrated

Two stock/baseline 91 octane N20 dynographs from the new 2012 F30 BMW 328i - Yes, it is underrated

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Two stock/baseline 91 octane N20 dynographs from the new 2012 F30 BMW 328i - Yes, it is underrated

We already knew the BMW N20 four cylinder was underrated from its 240 horsepower rating as we saw in a dynotest of the Z4 sDrive28i which put down 233 to the wheels. That dyno was done by Insideline who recently did a dyno of the new F30 328i and overlaid it with the Z4 dyno. As luck would have it, EAS also did a dynotest of the F30 328i so we have more than one graph to go on. For the record, Insideline was wrong about claiming they exclusively had the first 328i dyno.

First, let's take a look at the EAS graph. On their dynojet and with 91 octane pump gas they hit 226.51 wheel, strong:

Here is the graph from Insideline also with 91 octane but on a different dynojet, 240 whp:

So, why the disparity of about 14 whp? Well, the dynojet Insideline uses is routinely seen providing optmistic numbers. Yes, all dynojets are not created equal. We feel the numbers from EAS are for more realistic and will be much closer to what others will be hitting with their baseline graphs.

Notice when the Z4 dynograph and the 328i dynograph are overlaid they basically mirror each other with the same dips and same curve. No change in tune in stock form, all N20's should look basically the exact same with variances due to wheel weights and transmission choices:

The N20 is underrated quite a bit. This is likely done to keep 335 owners happy as the N20 does not give up all that much to the N55. This is going to be an exciting platform to tune and we should see the 300 whp barrier passed with this motor fairly quickly. 300 crank will be passed basically instantly with the very first set of tunes meaning an N20 with a tune will be a 335 killer in stock form.

Good numbers (certainly an improvement over N52) but it still won't make power as easy as an N55 nor will it probably be as responsive. Let's remember this is not an Evo type 4 banger with a huge stock turbo but instead a motor made for fuel efficiency. It certainly is a great base motor but i highly doubt it will make any type of serious power, let's just say I doubt that it is over engineered like the sixes.

Good numbers (certainly an improvement over N52) but it still won't make power as easy as an N55 nor will it probably be as responsive. Let's remember this is not an Evo type 4 banger with a huge stock turbo but instead a motor made for fuel efficiency. It certainly is a great base motor but i highly doubt it will make any type of serious power, let's just say I doubt that it is over engineered like the sixes.

The N55 isn't exactly making huge power. The aftermarket may pay more attention to this motor due to its volume. Everyone will be able to have one, this is now the cheapest BMW motor to own.

The N55 isn't exactly making huge power. The aftermarket may pay more attention to this motor due to its volume. Everyone will be able to have one, this is now the cheapest BMW motor to own.

Very valid points but the N54 will no longer be produced in new cars fairly soon so we can forget about anything of that sort... The N55 makes decent power (370 WHP with meth), it's just waiting for a turbo upgrade. You are right though, since there will be high volume for this motor, chances are that someone may build a turbo upgrade soon. It is important to also remember that the internals of this motor may be made like pretzels so power capabilities may be limited.

Very valid points but the N54 will no longer be produced in new cars fairly soon so we can forget about anything of that sort... The N55 makes decent power (370 WHP with meth), it's just waiting for a turbo upgrade. You are right though, since there will be high volume for this motor, chances are that someone may build a turbo upgrade soon. It is important to also remember that the internals of this motor may be made like pretzels so power capabilities may be limited.

The internals may not be strong or may be super strong, who knows.

We may see this motor get a lot more attention than the N55. I would expect Cobb to tackle it for one.

We may see this motor get a lot more attention than the N55. I would expect Cobb to tackle it for one.

You never know with this motor. It could be maxed out from the factory, but i dont think so. I think it will give the N55 a run for its money, but only time will tell. It would be nice to put in the M when the S54 goes... I mean the S54 is great, but the dollar per hp gained ratio is pretty high. Probably less than the HPF Stage I kit price to do if you could. Something about DI and HP fuel rails may prevent it from ever happining tho...More power and less weight...hey a man can dream right lol.